Channel of distribution restructuring: A cross-sectional time series study of Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors from 2006 to 2011 in the United States

Channel restructuring has become a subject of interest within the U.S. automotive industry because of the recent economic recession. Within the automotive industry, restructuring has been a central theme followed by manufacturers to assist in creating a smaller network of loyal, exclusively branded dealers. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine the relationship between automotive channel restructuring and the extent of its association with market share, new vehicle sales, and new vehicle production. The sample was the domestic automotive industry within the U.S. market. The domestic automotive industry is comprised of companies whose headquarters reside within the United States. This study utilized data from 3 manufacturers---Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors---over 24 quarters for the 6 years of the study (2006--2011). The results indicate that channel restructuring has a strong relationship with market share, new vehicle sales, and new vehicle production. Additional research is needed in this area and several recommendations are made within this dissertation to assist future researchers in this effort.